Appeals Court rules in favour of Zambry, another shame (UPDATED)
By Wong Choon Mei, Suara Keadilan
In another unbelievable move, Malaysia’s Court of Appeal has decided in favour of Umno leader Zambry Kadir, overturning last week’s High Court ruling that Pakatan Rakyat’s Nizar Jamaluddin was the rightful Menteri Besar of Perak.
While shocking, the move was also widely anticipated given the political pressure piled by Prime Minister Najib Razak on the courts. When the verdict was announced, there was complete silence in the courtroom as those present struggled to contain their anger at the bold-faced injustice unfolding before their eyes.
“I don’t think anyone in Malaysia has any doubts about what happened and what was Najib’s role in it. This will only prolong the crisis and further embarrass the nation,” said PKR strategic affairs director Tian Chua.
“Pakatan, like the rest of Malaysia is saddened and wearied, but we will never ever give up.”
Nizar has already said he will appeal any decision against him. According to Md Raus Sharif – who headed the three-man bench – the decision was unanimous and agreed to by his colleagues Zainun Ali and Ahmad Maarop. They also rejected an application for a stay of execution from Nizar.
On May 11, High Court judge Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahim had declared Nizar was the lawful chief minister at all material times and that Zambry, who was sworn in by the Perak Sultan on Feb 6, was never the legal menteri besar.
However, on May 12, Court of Appeal judge Ramly Mohd Ali shocked the nation by granting in super-quick time a stay of the High Court’s ruling, sparking widespread public discontent about the quality of justice in Malaysia’s legal system.
Najib’s self-made time-bomb
Northwestern Perak state plunged into crisis after Najib himself led a coup d’etat that toppled the popular Pakatan administration in February.
With the support of Sultan Azlan, Najib managed to get Zambry appointed as MB and Nizar sacked, even though the removal was unsanctioned by the legislative assembly via a follow-through no-confidence vote.
Left with no recourse, Nizar and the Pakatan embarked on a barrage of legal suits challenging the legitimacy of Zambry as chief minister and his Umno-BN team as the new administration.
Three months have passed and by now it is obvious that not just Perakians, but Malaysians nationwide, want fresh election to resolve the crisis. However, a power-crazed Najib has chosen to hang on in Perak and has resorted to all ways and means – including the underhanded and the foul.
On May 7, Umno-BN assemlymen led by Zambry used brute physical force to eject V Sivakumar, the Speaker of the state assembly, from the legislative hall. The lawless scenes captured for posterity on video footage sparked a nationwide outcry.
But despite the uproar, the Perak Sultan has turned a deaf ear on the clamouring, disallowing his subjects from choosing the leaders that they want to lead their state and not the line-up foisted on them by Najib.
‘Something will happen next week’ but it is actually quite sordid
In the past week, BN-controlled media have been hinting that the coalition was finally leaning towards fresh election as the political fallout became too obvious to ignore.
Even PAS vice president Husam Musa ventured to recount speculation that the Appeals Court would definitely rule in Umno-BN’s favour.
This was to allow Najib, the architect of the debacle, to save face so that when his once-mighty coalition finally announces fresh election, Perakians and Malaysians would greet them with euphoria.
“I have heard these stories. But it is not just about public relations. It is actually about money. We all know how the Umno-BN digs from federal and state institutions. By being caretaker government in Perak, they get to go into snap election with all the advantages,” said Ngeh Koo Ham, Perak DAP chairman.
“But by acting this way, the Umno-BN is only proving to the nation why they must be rejected, rejected and rejected yet again at the ballot box. How can anyone who loves the country twist the system, drag our judiciary into such a bad light and bring so much shame to Malaysia.”
His emotions were echoed by other Pakatan leaders.
Said Gopeng MP Lee Boon Chye: “At this stage, these are just rumours spread by Umno-BN. We will continue with our plan, we will appeal until we exhaust all avenues. We just want to say to all Malaysians – Remember Perak, Remember Najib, Remember Umno-BN and Remember the Injustice.”
